Spartacus: Vengeance, Controversy, and Criticism
By: Jase Peeples
1.26.2012
When Spartacus: Blood and Sand debuted on the STARZ network in January of 2010 few people could’ve guessed it would become the monster success it is today. Even the show’s creator and head writer, Steven S. DeKnight, had his doubts. “When we first started out this show was universally hated,” DeKnight said in a press interview. “We got off to a rocky start. That first episode was by far our weakest one.” However, the creative forces behind the sword and sandals epic quickly learned from their mistakes and the series—which will begin its second season titled Spartacus: Vengeance on January 27—soon picked up steam, intriguing viewers with its complex storylines and impressive effects.
At the same time, the cable network series snagged a legion of gay fans thanks to the show’s army of gorgeous gladiators and a fluid depiction of sexuality—a controversial creative choice that earned the show and its creator a fair amount of criticism. “One of the things, to this day, I’m still getting comments about is, ‘all the gay shit in my show’ and people asking me to tone it down,” says DeKnight. “I always say, ‘no.’ As far as I’m concerned it’s barely in there to start with and it was part and parcel of that world and it’s part and parcel of our world now, so I ignore that. If people want to stop watching the show because two guys kiss, well, I shrug my shoulders. That will always be in there.”
[EDITOR'S NOTE: Check out the 'Spartakiss' from Spartacus: Blood and Sand below.]
DeKnight says the show’s depiction of sex and violence may have caused some viewers to dismiss the series early on, but he insists the show is much more than the sum of its controversial scenes.
“For me this has always been a romance. I love a good romance and all the relationships in the show,” DeKnight said. “There are many romantic plots being played out and I think ultimately that’s the heart of the series. Without that it would just be blood and sex and violence and this season is no different. The story has to be emotionally driven, no matter what’s happening. If there’s an orgy going on [the scene] can’t be about the orgy, it has to be about who wants what from whom. It’s about finding the balance between entertainment and the true human emotion.”
Nevertheless, DeKnight doesn’t deny the effort that goes into making Spartacus one of the sexiest shows on television. Each actor who plays one of the show’s sword-swinging hunks must endure weeks of vigorous training in order to transform his body into one of the gods of the arena we see on the screen. “We have a boot camp every year for new people coming in, and our returning cast, to bone up on their fighting skills and to help them get back in tip-top shape. I think we’re one of the few shows [where] the men have it rougher than the women because the men are practically naked all the time with just a little bit of strategic covering. They have to watch what they eat and train like crazy for the entire shoot of the show, which is incredibly difficult, but I think the evidence is up on the screen that they literally work their asses off.”
With a new season about to begin and additional season already announced, the series creator isn’t worried about the potential controversy that will undoubtedly follow future episodes featuring intimacy between same-sex partners. “Sure we get criticism,” says DeKnight, “but that’s the show it is. Thankfully STARZ is very supportive and we get to tell the story we want to tell.”
Spartacus: Vengeance premieres on STARZ January 27. You can watch the first episode online now at www.starz.com.
Comments
Spartacus vengeance 1st episode mistakes.......don't complain about food after the Spartacus killed 8 men and didn't bring back some horse meat.
And Varro's wife was always an ingrate, but they she not have killed her:
perhaps a good spanking from the gladiators..lol
I am bummed out that the original Spartacus actor passed away. He really developed that character and made you cheer for him. His whole expression truely made you empathetic. I think the show loses a step without him. I couldn't get through the first episode of Vengence. Its not the same show. I did like the prequel. Maybe Gaticus will come back.
i love the show i am a great fan of it .i feel it gives a realistic view off roman times
I love the show!!! One good thing about today's electronics....if you don''t like it...push your remote!
Thanks Starz for your courage. any men are watching this series...many straight men as well
Homosexuality / bisexualty has been around for many years before Chirst walked the earth. The equation has never changed: some 20% of the people whom GOD gave life to have followed a different path, have falled unto a different star. That equation has never changed and never will.
Many Roman soldiers in the field engaged in homsexual practices, because their wives were not there. It is my finding, as a student in classical history that you can forget the prescripts set forth by fundamentalist Christians --- they know not. It is in antiquity that homosexuality / bisexuality was considered "normal". In short, it is they who understood the human equation. That begs the question: do WE, in our so-called contemporary society? I don't get it.
jimdand
People who say its "to gay" I say 300 didn't depict the Roman civilization well enough. The actual thing about homosexuals in roman society wasn't so much seen since it was viewed as a "masculine" thing to have sex with another man and the Romans also did dry hump each other a lot. Also when married, since Rome did focus a lot on their military and the men would be gone and joined the army at a young age, the men had urges so they would engage in "gay sex".
Interesting fact though for you gay.net readers, the reason I say 300 and why I dislike movies depicting things of historical reference is because they get it historically wrong, the roman solders would have sex with their wives that much was true but, because the men didn't really have experience they would actually end up having sex in the woods because of their time constraints and since they didn't know to much about love making since they were in the army at a young age, the wives would sometimes-usually shave their head bald or cut their hair short since the male didn't know what to do and was more used to having sex with a male than female so if the girl looked like a male, her husband would have more knowledge. Needless to say, this is a interesting fact that isn't depicted much in today's culture but super interesting ^_^. Also a nice thing to tell people that are fans of the movie 300 or of the Roman empire.
You keep on saying Roman when the movie 300 was a depiction of Spartans which were Greek. Spartans were not heavily into Homosexuality but they were atypical of Greek society not typical of other city states.
It is not often that i read the comments left, but here i read all the above from anonymous on 1/28 to Cody on 1/26...maybe it is the show's content, "gladiators and all", Andy's battle "he was a gorgeous hunk of man" or the idea that this is a series about gay men in history "escapism, ba humbug" ... great comments one and all "U have me hooked".
Think i rather see Godzilla destroy Japan......LOL
I remember Tony Curtis in the Kirk Douglas "SPARTACUS." In his distinct Brooklyn accent saying "I love you Spartacus." And Sir Lawrence Olivier lusting after Jean Simmons and hitting on the slave played by Tony Curtis at the same time. In those times slaves had no choice but to submit to anything his master demanded. Choice was never an option. As far as I am concerned, Kirk Douglas will always be [to me] the only Spartacus. Who can forget "I am Spartacus," "I am Spartacus", "I am Spartacus," "I am Spartacus." Beloved by all his men, all wanting to protect him and in doing so demonstrating their love for him. God, I love this movie, and I love the series too. Way to go STARZ, way to go. And to Steven S. DeKnight, "Well done sir! Well done indeed!"
I dont watch TV much so what day and time and channel?
I watched the first episode of the new season on line thanks to an e-mail from STARZ. I also watched the half hour interview with several of the cast members and producers the day after the call-in. It was just as compelling as the series itself. I lamented the tragic loss of Andy Whitfield both to his family as well as to the show, but Liam McIntyre is another beautiful man and, from the interview, well spoken as well. I do not normally gravitate to this genre with blood and violence and put up with my same-sex spouse's life-long fascination with WWE and its ilk. There is something about the story lines in addition to the raw sexuality that keep me glued to the series.
For those with interest in shows that also follow the theme of revenge and have sexy men to watch, I might suggest the network potboiler, "Revenge." Not nearly as over the top but of some interest.
Best show on TV! I love this series :D ultraviolence and sex are a winning combo
This is actually the THIRD season. The second season was a prequel to allow the main actor from season one to recover from his cancer treatments. Unfortunately, he lost the cancer fight, I really liked him as Spartacus.
I have only seen the first episode of the new season, it has NOT drawn me in like the first two seasons.
The first season was also very politically charged, lots of wheeling and dealing and back room deals. Kind of like today!
Actually, the writer is correct. This is the second season. The prequel you are talking about isn’t considered a “season.” It was a mini-series. I’m not sure why the studio is referring to it this way as it would make sense to call this new season the third, but for some reason they aren’t. :(
The show has only shown maybe a minute or two worth of gay footage in any one episode. And one of the gay characters was even killed off early on in the first season. Any straight guy complaining of gay stuff is just relating those few scenes AND the overall male nudity to be "gay". I'm glad they are ignoring the criticism because I know a few straight guys that were once rather homophobic in our high school years yet are okay about watching this show now as well as True Blood. And these are Mississippi boys!
In reality - Historical & archaeology finds indicate your average gladiator was highly conditioned but beefy & built more like a rugby player - The additional mass - muscle fat & even bone aiding survival from training & injury in training & the arena - Bodybuilders as we know them were unknown & the Greek ideal is closer to what The Spartacus series tries for , muscular & cut for modern tastes
Archaelogical finds indicate genetically they were from all races drawm fron & beyond the Empire - Mostly for variety & the novelty of the crowds - Celts, Nubians, even Indians & Central Asians
As far as sex goes the Judeo-Christian Taboos didn't exist -
Sex like the Greeks was a far more fluid concept with most ancient peoples - Eros' arrows were indiscriminate who they hit -s so if the Gods will two men be hit & fuck - no big deal if the Gods will it.
Romans were officially more morally upright Homosexuality was against the law for Roman citizens & punishable by death (Althogh of course it happened all the time from Emperors to the common citizenry, but always privately & behind closed dooors, orgies, etc..) - ie: A Roman male citizen should always be the penetrator - the object being male of female didn't matter - It was the status that mattered - One could fuck one's slaves of either sex legally as they were chattels and no morality was involved -
All in all a good series - Showing the squalor as well as the opulence of Rome
As gladiators were drwn from war slaves, traded slaves, ciminals or people that even volunteered to become a gladiator their was little sympathy for them if they were to die in the arena.
At any rate despite the moral horroro of some - If they were to bring back the games today - to thin the prison populations, etc. I think they'd be a huge sucess, sellouts every time, bums on every seats & the major television corporations fighting for the rights - Despite the Judeo-Christian veneer of modern society we haven't changed much - Gay or Straight
Paul
For the most of your comment i was agreeing with you. However, you lost me at the end... Due to the conditions in which we thrive on, even in prisons this would be considered to be morally unjust, pinning one human against another in a battle to the death with the hopes of freedom would just seem like cruelty and also we wouldnt release trained killers back into society. It would cause for to many repeated serial killers.
Just my 2 cents worth....
Happens everyday, aware or not. It's called war. Moreover, if something such as the UFC can sell out, you can believe that gladitorial games would, too. UFC aside, to think that gladitorial games today wouldn't sell out is just stupid.
Also do not put trained and serial killers in the same category. You know nothing of it. At all. In fact you probably don't know sh*t about psychology.
Never heard of the series, but I just set my dvr for tonights episode. :-)
You haven't ever heard of this series? What planet do you live on? Apparently not this one!,k
I haven't heard of it either - but, I'm not a twink and I don't follow common pop culture.
I am not a twink and i dont follow pop culture as well... And I have heard of it. I just stumbled upon it one day when i was bored and looking for something to watch online because I was caught up on true blood. But, either way, what you are "classified as" would not portray in any way on someone knowing about this show.
to all those complaining about gayness etc , watch the just released series " Borgia" and then give me an honest opinion of who are the " BAD " people. There is nothing more corrupt then the the church and christians. We would be better off without it and theire believes
Stereotyping much . . . a a gay person you should know better!
I think what's sad is that in so many projects we don't have really rough and tumble men - men who are naturally tough - who are also gay - playing gay roles. Often it's straight men who are taking "one for the team" and that's sad. Playing a character is difficult enough - but then playing a character with sexual orientation that's different than your own - that seems to me to be not just a stretch but an unreasonable one.
nice observation, here's mine; maybe if it were more common for gay actors to play gay roles than there wouldn't be such a fear of losing ones career if one was allowed to be out & proud.
pure escapism
This show leaves me wet. Keep it up.
I had experienced something rather interesting around christmas, a hard liner conservative guy I know, who thought the show was to gay, was seen buying the DVD at Best Buy lol.
Keep going the way your going, do get off the past. I believe didn't they actually fight naked?? so what are the complainers worried about.
I was sad about series two when the gay mate was killed, he was totally hot.
Actually they wrestled naked, not to the death. In the Olympic games all athletes were also naked.
The Gladiators in the Arena wore proactive clothing, Ithink they practiced naked, at the different houses, like Batitus. It's a great show
What the Hell Is all the Yelling about????
It is a great show,,
Maybe I am Too Old,,,
BUT!!! In the Movie with Tony Curtis,,,
The Gay Screen was Him In a Large Washing pool,
"WASHING SIR OLIVIER REAR END AND TALKING ABOUT EATING ASS"
I don't remember any-one raising a Lot of Hell over that???
That movie was Spartus. Tony Curtis was a slave and washing Olivier in a sunken stone tub,not his ass. Oliver asked Tony if he preferred snails or oysters, meaning cock or pussy. Not eating ass. A few scenes later Tony has run away and joined Spartus rebels. Tony plays the flute, he's a flutis another meaning dot cock sucker.
I've never seen the show but did read the article featuring Andy in Men's Health magazine. From the article and beautiful photo layout of Andy I knew it would one day be a hit. And Andy was a hot man pup to boot! What is it about ancient Roman history that still fascinates us today? I think its the decadence, triumphs and ultimate tragedy of Rome's downfall that has lessons which are universal. It's often forgotten that homosexuality was frequent among Roman soldiers and yes even the Greeks (who also were great fighters-i.e. their battle against the Persians). But these men were tough as nails, built and hot as hell. I'm sure there are many people in the armed forces of today who are gay but tough as nails, have character, a sense of honor and love of country. As far as I'm concerned sex between two people of the same gender or not is a beautiful thing (although sex between two men seems hotter for some reason). If you can find the right balance between that, great writing and a plot that just won't quit then you've got a hit! Another great serious that came out in the late 1970's and was somewhat controversial was I Claudius. They left no stone unturned in that one either.
Although I know the tragic outcome of Spartacus and his men, it sure gets the precum going.
IT'S ABOUT TIME DO BREAK A TABOO ON LOVE , WHICH HAS BEEN AROUND SINCE THE BEGINNING OF TIME AND ANY INTELLIGENT HUMAN BEING KNOWS THAT THE GAY MEN AND WOMEN HAVE BEEN AROUND SINCE THEN...
I love this show also, and even watch the repeats several times a week and always find something I have missed when I watched before. I too have turned several people on to watching it, and now they wouldn't miss it. The openness and truthfulness of the show is refreshing that gay sessions have not been edited out. Keep up the good work.
I also like the way and language in which it is written. It really seems that that is the way people would actually have spoken at that time in history.
I love the show by far the three last seasons and I have no doubt this next one it's going to be a genius, and wonderful story. Thanks to Starz and DeKnight for making this happen. I truly believe that shows like this have encourage me to learn about Romans history and also enhance reality of today's world for support to same sex relationship. Violence and blood it's just part of what we live also now days since the government invest lots of money in war.
I really like the show. At first, I thought it was too graphic, and after a few times of watching different series, I realized it was very interesting to watch. So now I look forward to seeing the different episodes every week.
I love the show for numerous reason. One of course is for the barely clothed men, but the story lines are so realistic no matter who is having sex with whom. It's more than that. It is a part of history, the way things use to be before hate and fear took over.
It was not so taboo back in the day for 2 people of the same sex to love each other, physically and sexually and to acknowledge that love out in the open. It was only when christianity gained a foot hold in society and politics in general that it became taboo.
Reason being those leaders are sexually frustrated, celibacy and living with other men 24/7. No wonder they tell others it's taboo.
Don't change a thing! If you do you will lose your HUGE following, let the critics say that they want, it means that you are doing something great!
(now how can we meet those men in person wearing what they wear on the show)
This show is great, not just because of the "fluid sexuality" but because Lucy Lawless is so over the top. She's Edina, Patsy and all of the Medicis wrapped into one amazing character. Andy Whitmore was a loss to the show, but the producers have done him proud by finding a replacement who seems to have an equal amount of charisma.
Im shocked at the controversy. I straight guy got me hooked to this show....... He watches this series religiously.
Great show!!! At that time in history, bfore Christianity became prevalent, Homosexuality was much more common than it is even today so keep up the good work. Absolutely love the show. Thanks to the creators and everyone who makes the show possible.
I love this series. I was really upset at Andy dying...silly to become so involved with lives of those onscreen, but this show really drags you in. The second season was wonderful when I didn't think it could be.
I am puzzled by the complaints of "gay stuff" in the show....there is really very little, probably less than whould be found in real life. Men facing death daily tend to be very sexual. Keep up the good work, and keep those bodies coming!
All I can say, is that this is a far cry from the days of scandalous attempts to edit out a same-sex male kiss as seen (or, rather not seen) on the original MELROSE PLACE.
Its nice to know that STARZ supports forward, edgy, honest artists taht rather not take "No" for an answer. And its even better to know that todays gay male generation has hyper-cool, hyper-male, and frankly, hyper-sexual icons, rather than images of shame; especially when it concerns something as beautiful and innocent as a kiss. THX!
I absolutely loved Blood and Sand. It was so tragic that Andy lost his battle to cancer. But I have to say that Liam should be a great replacement.
To me (as being a gay man) I don't care if the characters are gay, straight, bi, whatever this is a badass show and I have gotten more than just a few people addicted to this show as much as i am. Major kudos to the stars, writers, directors, everyone who helps with this show.
Post new comment